Saturday, January 18, 2014

Climbing in Phuket, Sunset Wall in Nai Harn Beach!

Following the subject of my previous post, I would like to
share with you my latest discovery: an untouched Granite Wall located in Nai Harn, south-west of Phuket.

It happened just a few weeks ago when with my friends I was swimming
from Nai Harn Beach toward the little island right in front of it.

As I was not trained enough to accomplish the challenge I
stopped, withdraw my head from the water, I looked up and I noticed a very nice
vertical wall.

Since then, I have been thinking to go back there, check if
there was some real climbing potential and why not, to possibly set up a rope.

Eventually last week I came back for the first time with my
friend Flavio and with great surprise I found out that even though the cliff is
not that high, it features some amazing potential lines up to 7a…or even more!

Considering the wall is only about 10 meters high I do not
think that setting up some bolts would make a lot of sense. Luckily, on the top
of the cliff there is a little boulder stable enough to be used to secure a
removable anchor and set up a few top ropes.

So far I climbed two lines. The first one could be a 6a and I
named it ‘Finger’s skin’. The second one I would say is something like 6c/6c+
and I named it ‘Lucky Period’.

Considering this place doesn't have a name yet…I would like
to baptize it as the Sunset Wall!

Everybody is welcome to give it a try!

Sunset Wall - Nai Harn Beach

Riccardo abseiling the wall for the first time ever

Securing the anchor around a stable boulder

Location: Nai
Harn Beach, South West Phuket

Access: Drive up
to the Eolic Generator, park your car/bike and walk down the hill where some people
are practicing paragliding. Follow the steep path on the right until you get on
the edge of the cliff.

Period: The cliff
is facing west, therefore it stays on shade in the morning until 12h00. In the afternoon
it will be very hot, however from 4h00pm
it is possible to climb again and enjoy the amazing sunset!

4 comments:

Thanks for the Info! My girlfriend and I just moved to Phuket and we are wanting to do some climbing. We used to love climbing in the U.S. but have not been on the rocks in almost a year. We don't have any gear here and were wondering if there is a place to buy some. Also are their any other walls on Phuket or should we head to Ko Yao Noi?

Hi Rixardo! How are you? I'm sorry I didn't get to see you in my last week on Phuket, but I'm glad we got to spend some seriously fun times together climbing, eating and laughing! You're top notch. In the US now and very much missing SE Asian limestone already!I know the wall you've mentioned, Tomek Wyderka and I set up a top rope there about 3 years ago during our search for climbs on Phuket. Fun afternoon! There is some potential for a few short and tough routes, I agree. And it is a perfect spot for sunset :) Enjoy!! Hi to Supranee also!Sending love from groovy New Orleans...Ross